BCS Standings 2011: Cincinnati Bearcats and Top Teams Climbing Up Rankings

The No. 23 Cincinnati Bearcats were a forgotten team as recently as three weeks ago.

After Brian Kelly skipped town before the biggest game in school history, the Bearcats regressed significantly in 2010.

The expectations were higher this year, but an early season thrashing at the hands of Tennessee had people expecting another mediocre season.

Instead, the Bearcats have ripped off six straight wins and have just won two incredibly tough road games in a row against South Florida and Pittsburgh.

If they can beat West Virginia at home next week, Cincinnati is in the driver's seat for a Big East championship.

The Bearcats have been able to do it with their offense, which is currently ranked 11th in the nation and is averaging more than 39 points per game.

Quarterback Zach Collaros is making smart decisions with the football and is taking chances at the right times. His 63 percent completion percentage has been a big reason for his team's success.

But the real star is running back Isaiah Pead. The senior has racked up 821 yards and eight touchdowns on a mere 136 attempts.

Pead runs with terrific explosion that leads to huge gains. Any time your featured back averages six yards per carry, you're going to be in great shape.

You may not realize this, but the Bearcats are going to win the Big East and earn a BCS bowl game.

Maybe then you'll start paying attention.

Here are two other teams that will only keep climbing up the BCS rankings:

No. 11 Houston Cougars

The Cougars will benefit from teams in front of them losing because there is little doubt they are going to go undefeated.

They won't crack the top five, but the Cougars and their No. 1 ranked offense in the nation are going to end up around No. 6 or No. 7 by December.

Yes, that's right—the Houston Cougars are going to be one of the top seven teams in the nation. Who would have ever guessed?

No. 16 Texas Longhorns

That OU thrashing sure does feel like a long time ago, doesn't it?

Since getting Texas two-stepped by Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, the Longhorns have won two straight games by a combined 75 points.

After struggling all season, freshman running back Joe Bergeron has exploded for 327 yards the past two games. The Longhorns don't need great quarterback play when the running game is so  dominate.

If they can take care of Missouri on the road and Kansas State at home (two games they'll be favored in), then the Longhorns will be knocking on the door of the top 10.

Nobody would have guessed that a month ago.